This legislation created farming settlements for Metis people who were living in poverty in Alberta.
The legislation that created farming settlements for Metis people living in poverty in Alberta is called the Metis Betterment Act. This act was passed by the Alberta government in 1938 with the intention of improving the socio-economic conditions of the Metis population in the province.
Under the Metis Betterment Act, the Alberta government established several farming settlements, also known as Metis colonies or settlements. These colonies were intended to provide land, resources, and support to the impoverished Metis people, enabling them to become self-sufficient through farming and agricultural activities.
The government provided financial assistance, land, and housing to the Metis families, and also facilitated the development of infrastructure such as schools, churches, and community centers within these settlements. The colonies were established in different regions of Alberta, including St. Paul, Elizabeth, Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, and Fishing Lake, among others.
The Metis Betterment Act was part of a broader initiative to address historical injustices and socio-economic disparities faced by the Metis population in Alberta. It aimed to provide the Metis people with opportunities for improvement, self-sufficiency, and economic stability through farming and settlement.
However, it is worth noting that the establishment of these farming settlements was not free from controversy. Some critics argue that the government's motives were not entirely altruistic, and that such initiatives were designed to assimilate and control the Metis population by displacing them from their traditional territories. Nonetheless, these settlements played a significant role in improving the lives of many Metis families in Alberta and continue to be an important part of the province's history.